Uber Nigeria is a subsidiary of the popular car-hailing service, Uber. The story began in Paris when the company’s founders, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp had difficulty hailing a cab. It was at this point, they thought of the idea of hailing a cab just by the tap of a button. This led to the founding of Uber in 2009. Two years later, the app was launched.

Uber has grown from its humble beginnings to become the world’s largest taxi company despite not owning any cars. The company primarily uses an app to get things done. With the Uber app, you can get your driver to your location with just one tap and you can pay with either cash or card.

Initially, Uber was used in a few metropolitan areas and specific black cars were used to provide this service.

Currently, Uber is present in over 600 cities including two cities in Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja.

If you’re looking to partner with Uber as a driver, there are some things you should know about the company in terms of car requirements.

First, Uber doesn’t discriminate which means anyone can partner with the company. It doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female as long as you have the car that fits their specs, you can become an Uber partner and start earning money by offering rides.

One of the advantages of being an Uber partner is that you can work at your own schedule. So, if you work from 9 to 5, you can use your car for Uber in the evenings or during the weekends.

If you’re interested in joining the Uber team and becoming a partner, here are the steps to take and the contact details you need.

First, you should visit the Uber website and register. Another option is to go to the company’s head office located at the iLx Centre (Venia), Plot 8, 2nd Floor, Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1.

If you’re located in Abuja, you can visit the Uber Office at 29 Mambilla Street, Off Aso Drive. There’s another office at Regus, River House, 83 Ralph Shoeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja.

As an Uber partner, you may need to resolve certain issues from time to time and this could mean you having to visit the Uber office. In this case, you can either send an email to partners.lagos@uber.com or you can book an appointment online, then you can go to the Lagos office to resolve your complaints.

Apart from its unique service, Uber has become a business opportunity for many Nigerians. You can earn over N200, 000 monthly just by working with Uber as a driver.

But before you commence the process of registering as a partner, your identity will be verified by Uber via a thorough background check.

Also, there are Uber-specific car requirements. As a Uber driver, you are either providing the UberX and UberSelect service.

The UberX is known as the entry-level ride-sharing service for Uber. It is the least expensive of all the Uber services which makes it quite popular. It offers lower fare rates unlike the UberSelect option.

However, the UberX and UberSelect have similar requirements.

Your vehicle must be sedan

No full-size vans are allowed (15 passengers)

No salvage vehicles are acceptable

Only one driver is allowed per Uber account

You must have a valid driver’s licence

Your mileage shouldn’t exceed 100,000 km when being put on the Uber system

Your vehicle must have seat belts for all passengers including the driver

Your vehicle should have a working radio and an air conditioner

Your vehicle will remain on the Uber system except riders complain

Your vehicle model year must be 2000 or newer

The vehicle should be a 4-door car

It should be in good working condition with no cosmetic damage

Your paperwork which includes Vehicle inspection report, Vehicle insurance, Roadworthiness certificate must be up to date.

In 2016, Uber Nigeria ended their UberBlack service and replaced it with the UberSelect. The UberBlack is an Uber service where passengers are driven by professional chaffeurs in luxury cars. The UberBlack fare is usually twice that of an UberX.

If you want to drive for UberSelect in Nigeria, you can sign up via the Uber website. You will be given a sign up referral which entitles you to a sign-up bonus which includes a signup referral code.